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Dizziness, headaches, foggy, pressure in head & plugged ears

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salsagirl20
salsagirl20

It's happening again, everyday it's the same thing and I don't know how to calm myself down. I think when ever I get these feeling I am going to pass out and die instantly. The dizziness gets so bad I have to hold my head and close my eyes I don't understand it. I always think I'm having a heart attack, stroke, blood clot in my head or cancer all the time because doctors still don't know why I get these symptoms. I get anxiety so bad because of the pain I get and I keep thinking the worse things. I keep thinking that i am getting the wrong diagnosis from the doctors and if I ignore the pain it is actually something serious then it's too late to do anything about it.

Tests that I got done in the last 3 years were: xray of my head and neck, mri of head, numerous blood work. I have done physio, chiro, acupuncture and massage therapy. Only thing that kind of helps is massage therapy which is what I am still doing now.

I am getting no answers and just worrying everyday. I just want these symptoms to go away I want my life back I don't feel like the same person anymore.

6 likes, 200 replies

200 Replies

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  • ben99468
    ben99468 salsagirl20

    Posted

    Hello there Salsagirl,  Ben here.

    18MAY15 @ 9:45pm East USA time

    Please try to calm down and get into a "safe" position where things don't upset you so much.  Where the symptoms subside somewhat, then stay there for a while until you can think a little more clearly.  For me it's lieing down on my Left side, head up on a large pillow.  Then, tell yourself what ever is wrong, it can't be so serious as those things, your imagination is running things.

    Next, try to think about the different types of things that you mentioned and try to eliminate them one by one.  For example, if you think it has something to do with your heart, try to measure your heart rate.  Check your blood pressure.  Try to do the same thing with those other things too.  

    Try to think logically.  You surely don't have cancer  or a stroke, because they would have seen it in the scans or blood work. Try to do this type of thinking with the other ideas too. Eventually you may be able to calm yourself to the point where you arn't thinking about those terrible possibilities, because logically they have no merit.

    Dizziness and foggy head are not life threatening symptoms in your case because the doctors have been looking directly at the life threatening causes of those things.  My symptoms were dizziness and foggy head, and I also had a full feeling in my ears.  Those are normal symptoms for Vestibualr neuritis and Labyrinthitis. They can be controlled somewhat with decongestants even if it means steriodal anti inflamitory drugs.  If over the counter stuff isn't working, there are stronger ones the doc can prescribe. 

    Remember the doctors run all those tests and diagnostics to eliminate possibilities one by one.  You must get a hold of yourself and believe that they know what they are doing and that you don't have one of the dreaded things you mentioned. 

    If  you can, focus your thaughts on those things that are not so serious, like the dizziness is coming from BPPV, or Vestubular inflamation.  Something that can be overcome without serious operations.  

    For a moral booster, when you do get calmed down, try to go to the web site where Dr. Carol Foster of Univ. Colorado, tells about her bout with Menieres' and how she had to have the nerve cut, (that's a very serious plan of attack) only  then she was hit with BPPV,.   Read how she felt, what she did in her studies, and how she devised a self-help maneuver to stop that menace. I ask you to read her account because it might give you the courage to believe, and try to get into see someone that will help this time.  

    I hope you can get in to see a doctor even if you have to get someone to take you and go to an emergency room.  Your situation sounds like you really need to get professional help soon.  You need to stop some of the things that are bothering you like the fullness in your ears and the headaches, so you arn't so overwhelmed with everything all at once.  

    One last thing, You might consider keeping a diary or daily log of how you feel, and  of each episode, and the doctor visits.  That way you can  go back and relive the previous "attacks" and read what the doctors have said about them and the tests and the test results.  This should give you a logical way to see if you are over reacting and clear up some of the mystery as to whether or not some things are for sure not there. 

    Salsagirl, I sincerely feel for you, your insecurity is normal for someone who is dealing with dizziness for the first few times, especially if you are young.  Try to believe you will get help and relief if you can just keep on trying.  I wish you well asap.

    Ben 

    • salsagirl20
      salsagirl20 ben99468

      Posted

      Thank you so much. That did make me feel better.

      I have been writting in a diary. I am hoping since I am seeing my doctor again that she can send me to a specialist and I can show them how I have been tracking my episodes.

      Yes I have gone to the emergency 3 times in the past year. I had a panic attack once and thought I was having a heart attack. They checked my blood and did an xray of my lungs and found nothing. They said it was anxiety. I know for a fact my dizziness is not anxiety, or the pressure in my ears or headaches. I understand the heart racing, sweatyness and over thinking is my anxiety though.

      I don't want to take meds because I don't want to be addicted. I already feel dizzy so I don't want the after effects of getting more dizzy after taking meds.

      I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. I will keep you updated and let you guys know what she says.

      Thank you for your response. You did calm me down a bit which helped.

    • pdzang58
      pdzang58 salsagirl20

      Posted

      I was dizzy two weeks ago. I couldn't sit or stand. I felt that the world was going to end. I ended in the hospital for 4 days. Had cat scan, MRI and blood work. All was negative. I've been out of the hospital since Monday and still dizzy when I stand up. Sitting and laying down is no issue now, but standing and walking still

      Is. It's not as bad, but it's still there and it suxs. sad I was diagnosed with BPPV - vertigo. I do the head exercise plus you will find some videos on you tube that can help you. I haven't worked in the past two weeks, but going to try to go back Wednesday. Don't think the worst. You might have the same. I suffer from panic attacks but I knew it wasn't that! There's a lot of info out there about vertigo! 🙏🏻💗🙏🏻

    • Prinnie47
      Prinnie47 ben99468

      Posted

      Hi Ben,

      This is the best response that I've read so far. I have been experiencing the same symptoms as Salsagirl for over 7 years now. It started with an extreme episode of vertigo, and ever since that time, I've had dizziness, fuzziness, and fullness in my head, sometimes accompanied by pressure in my ears, and a clogged feeling of bubbles in my throat. I have seen every doctor under the sun (cardiologist, neurologist, opthamologist, dentist, 4 ENTs, gastroenterologist, periodontist, etc.), and none seem to be able to figure out what is wrong with me. I am fearful of driving sometimes because I have had 2 episodes of vertigo while driving. But those episodes are so few and far between that I can't stop driving altogether. I am going to try some OTC meds, and maybe keep a food diary as well. The only thing that keeps me sane is that now I can usually tell when an episode is going to occur because I cough up, or blow out, discolored mucus (sorry for being gross).

    • LolaTheBunny16
      LolaTheBunny16 Prinnie47

      Posted

      I agree & only read his response yesterday.

      I googled the Dr he mentioned and watched her exercise video.

      I did the exercises yesterday and can honestly say I have felt an improvement in my head already! It's only been 5 weeks for me ... So I am happy that I have found it already!

      I would highly recommend trying it!

    • Prinnie47
      Prinnie47 LolaTheBunny16

      Posted

      Hi LolatheBunny16.

      I will watch the video and give the exercises a try.  At this point, it can't hurt, right?!

    • LolaTheBunny16
      LolaTheBunny16 Prinnie47

      Posted

      ABSOLUTELY!

      Just in casers, I have also taken a Nurofen Plus & sprayed Nasonex to stop any perspective head pressure, & I feel almost 90% my normal self!

      I have been feeling TERRIBLE & not worked the last 5 weeks ... So this is incredible!

      I am in Australia so not sure if those medications are the same where you are.

    • Cstanley
      Cstanley salsagirl20

      Posted

      Did you ever get a diagnosis? I started having these same symptoms recently. I also have an autoimmune disorder. You may have already found this out but after a TON of research I discovered that anxiety can in fact cause ALL of these symptoms. I was quite surprised at that.
    • Swhat
      Swhat LolaTheBunny16

      Posted

      Hi Lola what is the video you are reffering tomand dictors name can you post the link please and thank you . and how are you feelin?
    • LolaTheBunny16
      LolaTheBunny16 Swhat

      Posted

      I don't know what it is called, but if you go to the top of the responses to Salsagirl, there is a long response from Ben (I think) .. He mentions a Dr who had similar symptoms & I googled her & found a YouTube video exercise.

      I ended up having an MRI to rule out any nasty stuff, & after a week of no sleep & stress waiting for the results, was diagnosed with a chronic migraine. Thank God!!

      Stematil has helped with the dizziness, & although the Neurologist gave me other tablets, I haven't really needed them.

      I think it is just a severe reaction to stress for me.

    • D4n1
      D4n1 Prinnie47

      Posted

      Hi Prinnie 47,

      How are you feeling now, any better?

  • Pawstruck
    Pawstruck salsagirl20

    Posted

    Salsagirl--I am so sorry...what a terrible thing to experience over and over again.  Sometimes severe dizziness like that can be related to an inner ear infection but I am not a doctor, just concerned.  It might be a good idea to monitor your blood pressure with at home and keep a record of it so that you see if you're having spikes in your blood pressure that can cause dizziness and some of the other symptoms you mentioned.  Doctors like it when you can hand them a sort of blood pressure journal so they can see what's going on.  Most important thing is to find a doctor who will listen to you and help.  Take care and post an update if you can...
    • salsagirl20
      salsagirl20 Pawstruck

      Posted

      That's true I am going to try that. Totally, I feel like my doctor just thinks it's anxiety and that's it's all in my head but why would I make something up? I want to live my life normally and not feel this way so I am not on purpose going to do that. Anyways if she doesn't send me to a specialist I think I might see another doctor because I honestly feel like she is not listening to me at all.
  • paula59
    paula59 salsagirl20

    Posted

    Hi Salsa girl, all the things you mention, I have and mine is silent migraine, or migraine associated vertigo.  Im told the symptoms are text book and are nothing to worry about.  Once i understood that, I felt a bit better.  I had two panic attacks also.  I thought I had MS but I was glad it turned out to be migraine.  I think anything to do with your eyes and balance are scarey and are frightening when you try to go out.  Ive had it two and a half years now and it has improved.  Ive tried about 9 medications but most of them make me feel depressed.  Some of them might have worked but I wasnt able to give them a chance.  As Ben said, all the tests that have been done would have shown up anything serious or life threatening.  Dont worry, I have exactly the same symptoms weird as they are.  I think its just that you dont bump into people in real life with the same stuff.  You need to see a neurologist.  The medications should work for you, your much younger than me.  Dont stress, it makes it much worse.  You are fine - nothing to be scared about.  xx
    • salsagirl20
      salsagirl20 paula59

      Posted

      Thanks for your comment Paula. I'm curious how did you find out you had silent migraines. Did you see a specialist and they told you, you had this? Yes I saw my doctor again and she is sending me to a neurologist and a ENT specialist. Appointment is not until Dec. 2 I don't know why it's so far away I wish it was sooner, I'm so tired in feeling this way. Today I had really bad symptoms, I had preassure in head again, sharp pain in ears, dizziness and such a stiff neck. It's was so hard to concentrate at work today. I hope I can get some answers with the specialist. For now my doctor is prescribing me vertigo pills but I find they are not helping yet.
    • vadyso
      vadyso salsagirl20

      Posted

      Hello salsagirl20. Did you get any answers? Because i have same symptoms as yours. It is a food allergy. Actually dairy products, egg and meat. If doctors find nothing and say you that it is anxiety so you should go to the bioenerjist, specialist in spiritual treatment or exorcist. But you should find the good one who has certificate or diploma, pay taxes and works official. They will find that bad energy which gives you anxiety.
    • veronica20125
      veronica20125 salsagirl20

      Posted

      Did you get diagnosed? 

      If so can you share you diagnoses ? 

      I was given the diagnosis of Menieres but when I'm having head pressure, ear pressure, tingling and vibration feeling from the top of my head to mid body, fatigued the ENT says it's not Menieres. 

      I've seen numberous doctors from California to Texas. Vestibular migraines. I haven't found the right medication. Insurance ran out before Botox couldn't be given 

    • veronica20125
      veronica20125 salsagirl20

      Posted

      I have all the same symptoms you do. 

      How do you manage to work 

      I haven't worked in a year 

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